He was not detained because as per the standard operating procedures, if the police does not detain a suspect, the prosecutor`s office will not do so either, AGO spokesman M Rum said.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Attorney Generals Office did not detain Jakarta governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama after he was handed over to the office as a suspect in the alleged case of blasphemy here on Thursday.

He was not detained because as per the standard operating procedures, if the police does not detain a suspect, the prosecutors office will not do so either, AGO spokesman M Rum said.

Another consideration for not detaining him was that Basuki or Ahok, as he is also called, has been banned from going abroad in any case.

Investigators also considered this fact that there was no need to detain him, he noted, adding that the person concerned was ready to be summoned at any time.

Ahoks lawyer Sirra Prayuna had earlier hinted that Ahok would not be detained because he as a gubernatorial candidate had to continue with his campaign after his case was referred to the AGO.

The AGO officially received the dossiers related to Ahoks case, and Ahok himself as the suspect in the case, from the police on Thursday.

The handing over of the dossiers and the suspect was also witnessed by Ahoks lawyer Sirra Prayuna at the AGO building.

"We have received the dossiers related to the case of Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, comprising 826 pages containing testimonies from 42 witnesses including 11 expert witnesses and the suspect," M Rum disclosed.

He revealed that the AGO would immediately refer the case to the North Jakarta District Court for trial.

Ahok has been charged with violating Article 156a of the Criminal Code carrying a maximum sentence of 5 years in jail, and Article 156 of the Criminal Code carrying a maximum sentence of four years for mentioning a verse of the Koran in his speech before residents of Kepulauan Seribu district in North Jakarta some time ago, an act which was considered blasphemous.

Thousands of Moslems plan to gather for a mass prayer at the National Monument Square (Monas) on Friday following a huge rally they held on November 4 in connection with the case.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2016